To ask the Minister for Infrastructure to detail (i) the processes used to cumulatively assess the provision of windfarms in Northern Ireland; and (ii) at what stage would it be considered an over saturation for the relevant local environment.

(i) Under the Strategic Planning Policy Statement (SPPS) and Planning Policy Statement 18: Renewable Energy, applications for wind energy development are required to demonstrate that the development will not have an unacceptable impact on visual amenity or landscape character, and that the development has taken into consideration the cumulative impact of existing wind turbines, i.e. those which have permissions and those that are currently the subject of valid but undetermined applications. The supplementary planning guidance ‘Wind Energy Development in Northern Ireland’s Landscapes’ is also taken into account in assessing all wind turbine proposals. This document identifies landscape characteristics that may be sensitive to wind turbine development and provides guidance on the landscape and visual analysis process, and the indicative type of development that may be appropriate.

Information on landscape and visual impact and an assessment of cumulative impacts are generally prepared by the applicant and submitted to accompany a planning application, for example as part of an Environmental Statement. The Planning Authority will evaluate that information, carry out a site visit and reach its own consideration of the proposal.

(ii) A planning application for a particular windfarm could be refused on the grounds that it would result in unacceptable adverse impact on visual amenity and landscape character by reason of the cumulative effects of the development in addition to other existing wind farms in the locality. However as each landscape is unique and has different characteristics, it is not possible to stipulate the stage at which a local environment could reach saturation point. Each proposal is considered on its own individual merits taking into account all material planning considerations, including planning policy.